Facsimile apparatus having operator&#39;s presence presuming function

ABSTRACT

A facsimile unit performs a facsimile reception operation of responding to a calling signal automatically and receiving transmitted facsimile data. A telephone unit performs a telephone reception operation of responding to a calling signal only after an operator responds to rings generated so that an operator may conduct a telephone conversation through the facsimile apparatus. A presuming unit presumes whether or not an operator is present based on certain obtained information. A selecting unit allows the facsimile unit to perform the facsimile reception operation and prevents the telephone from performing the telephone receiving operation if the presuming unit presumes that there is no operator. The selecting unit prevents the facsimile unit from performing the facsimile reception operation and allows the telephone to perform the telephone receiving operation if the presuming unit presumes that there is an operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and in particulara facsimile apparatus which is connected to a telephone network via asingle telephone line and has both facsimile function and telephonefunction or has a single facsimile function.

2. Related Art

In the related art, a facsimile apparatus has been used having telephonemode, facsimile mode and automatic switching mode. One mode isarbitrarily selected from among the three modes by the operator or isautomatically activated in accordance with a preset time table. Such afacsimile apparatus may be efficiently used by selecting the optimummode among the three modes.

However, in such a construction, the operator must perform the modesetting each time as is necessary so as to achieve the optimum modesetting, and the setting operations are inconvenient for the operator.

Another facsimile apparatus has a predetermined ring number such that afacsimile-data reception operation is started after the predeterminednumber of rings occur. The predetermined ring number may be altered. Ina case where the predetermined ring number is previously set at a largenumber, the facsimile apparatus acts as a telephone set if the operatorresponds to the ringing signal before the predetermined number of ringsoccur and acts a facsimile-data receiver if not. On the other hand, bypreviously setting the predetermined ring number at a smaller number,the facsimile apparatus may be made to almost always act as thefacsimile receiver accordingly.

However, the operator must alter the predetermined ring number each timeas is necessary. The operator must reduce the predetermined ring numberif the operator intends to use the apparatus as the facsimile receiver,the reduction operations being inconvenient for the operator. Further,if the operator forgets to reduce the predetermined ring number, time iswasted before the ringing tones occur in the predetermined ring numbereven if the operator intends to use the facsimile receiver function.

Another facsimile apparatus has a ring volume adjusting function. Byappropriately adjusting the ring volume, the facsimile apparatus cancause even an operator who is located far from the apparatus to be awareof the incoming call immediately.

However, in a case where no operator exists near the apparatus, at nightfor example, the ringing tones act as noise for persons having noconcern with the apparatus.

Another facsimile apparatus has a constant heat providing function ofalways providing heat to an image fixing unit which fixes a toner imageformed on a recording sheet using the provided heat to be applied to therecording sheet with the toner image. The toner image is previouslyformed on the recording sheet by means of a well-knownelectrophotographic image forming unit. By the above function, since theheat is always provided to the image fixing unit, a relevant image canbe output after being fixed on a recording sheet immediately withoutsubstantial delay, which image is currently being received through thefacsimile function.

However, in a case where no operator exists around the apparatus, atnight for example, a relevant image does not need to be outputimmediately even if the image is received through the facsimilefunction. Constantly providing heat to the image fixing unit evenafter-hours wastes heat energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatuswhich can eliminate the above problems from occurring.

To achieve the object of the present invention, a facsimile apparatusaccording to the present invention comprises:

facsimile means for performing a facsimile reception operation ofresponding to a calling signal automatically and receiving transmittedfacsimile data;

telephone means for performing a telephone reception operation ofresponding to a calling signal only after an operator responds to therings generated due to said incoming call so that an operator mayconduct a telephone conversation through said facsimile apparatus;

presuming means for presuming whether or not an operator is presentbased on certain information;

selecting means for allowing said facsimile means to perform saidfacsimile reception operation and preventing said telephone fromperforming said telephone receiving operation if said presuming meanspresumes that there is no operator, said selecting means preventing saidfacsimile means from performing said facsimile reception operation andallowing said telephone to perform said telephone receiving operation ifsaid presuming means presumes that there is an operator.

By this construction, the proper one is automatically selected fromamong the telephone reception mode and facsimile reception mode bypresuming the presence of the operator using information concerning thelight level in the office, for example. The telephone reception mode maybe made to be selected during the day time while the operator is presentand the facsimile reception mode may be made to be selected during thenight time. Such automatic mode change is convenient for the operatorbecause the operator's mode setting operation is eliminated.

Another facsimile apparatus comprises:

facsimile means for performing a facsimile reception operation ofresponding to a calling signal automatically after a predeterminednumber of rings have occurred and then receiving transmitted facsimiledata;

telephone means for performing a telephone reception operation ofresponding to a calling signal only after an operator responds to therings generated due to said calling signal so that an operator mayconduct a telephone conversation through said facsimile apparatus;

presuming means for presuming whether or not an operator is presentbased on certain information;

altering means for altering said predetermined number of rings so thatsaid predetermined number of rings in a case where said presuming meansdetermines that the operator is present is greater than that in a casewhere said presuming means determines that no operator is present.

By this construction, the predetermined ring number is automatically andappropriately altered by presuming the presence of the operator usinginformation concerning the light level of the office, for example. Thepredetermined ring number may be made to increase during the day timewhile the operator is present and may be made to be reduced during thenight time. Such automatic predetermined ring number alteration isconvenient for the operator because the operator's altering operation iseliminated. Further, ring generating time may be saved in the nighttime.

Another facsimile apparatus comprises:

facsimile means for performing a facsimile reception operation ofautomatically accepting an incoming call and receiving transmittedfacsimile data;

telephone means for performing a telephone reception operation ofaccepting an incoming call only after an operator responds to the ringsgenerated due to said incoming call so that an operator may conduct atelephone conversation through a telephone set connected to thetelephone line;

presuming means for presuming whether or not an operator is presentbased on certain information;

disconnecting means for disconnecting said telephone set from saidtelephone line in a case where said presuming means determines that theoperator is not present, said disconnecting means connecting saidtelephone set to said telephone line in a case where said presumingmeans determines that the operator is present;

and wherein said facsimile means performs the facsimile receptionoperation in a case where said telephone set has been disconnected fromsaid telephone line.

By this construction, the connection/disconnection of the telephone setis automatically and appropriately performed by presuming the presenceof the operator using information concerning the light level of theoffice, for example. The telephone set may be made to be connectedduring the daytime while the operator is present and may be made to bedisconnected at night. Such automatic disconnection of the telephone setat night can eliminate purposeless ringing, noise thus being eliminated.

Another facsimile apparatus comprises:

electrophotography means for forming a toner image on a recording sheetusing an electrophotography method;

fixing means for fixing said toner image on said recording sheet byapplying heat onto said recording sheet with said toner image;

presuming means for presuming whether or not an operator is presentbased on certain information;

heat providing means for supplying heat to said fixing means constantlyin a case where said presuming means determines that the operator ispresent whether or not the image fixing operation is currently beingperformed, said heat providing means stopping the constant supply of theheat to said fixing means in a case where said presuming meansdetermines that no operator is present.

By this construction, the automatic control of heat supply to the fixingmeans is performed by presuming the presence of the operator usinginformation concerning the light level of the office, for example. Theheat supply to the fixing means may be maintained during the day timewhile the operator exists and may be made to be stopped during the nighttime. Such automatic stopping of the heat provision during the nighttime can save energy.

Another facsimile apparatus comprises:

accepting means for accepting an incoming call signal immediately afterreceiving the calling signal;

facsimile means for performing a facsimile reception operation ofreceiving transmitted facsimile data relevant to the accepted incomingcall without generating any rings;

telephone means for generating rings in response to said incoming callsignal so that the operator may conduct a telephone conversation byresponding to said rings;

presuming means for presuming, after said accepting means accepts saidincoming call, whether or not the operator is present based on certaininformation;

switching means for switching operation to be performed by saidfacsimile means and said telephone means so that said telephone meansgenerates rings relevant to the calling signal in a case where saidpresuming means determines that the operator is present and saidfacsimile means starts the facsimile reception operation in a case wheresaid presuming means determines that the operator is not present.

By this construction, the presuming operation, consisting of the lightlevel detection for example, is needed only at a time a calling signalis coming and the relevant incoming call is immediately accepted, thecontrol efficiency of the apparatus being thus improved since thepresuming operation does not need to be always performed.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus in any of first,second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment of an NCU shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows an operation flow chart for altering a data reception modein the facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 shows an operation flow chart for altering a ring counting numberin the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows an operation flow chart for connecting/disconnecting atelephone set to/from the telephone line in the facsimile apparatus ofthe third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an operation flow chart for controlling supply of heat to aplotter shown in FIG. 1 in the facsimile apparatus in the fourthembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows an operation flow chart for altering a data reception modein the facsimile apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Facsimile apparatuses in first through fifth embodiments of the presentinvention are described with reference to FIG. 1.

The facsimile apparatus 1, a basic block construction of which is commonto the facsimile apparatuses in the first through fifth embodiments,includes CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, RAM(Random Access Memory) 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, heater 7, A/D(Analog/Digital Converter) 8, operation port 9, illumination-intensitysensor 10, modem 11 and NCU (Network Control Unit) 12.

The CPU 2 controls the entirety of the functions of the facsimileapparatus 1. The illumination-intensity sensor 10 measures the lightlevel of the office in which the facsimile apparatus 1 is located. TheA/D 8 converts the office illumination intensity detected by the sensor10 into other illumination intensity data which the CPU 2 can process.The CPU 2 has a function of comparing the illumination intensity datawith a predetermined threshold value. The CPU 2 has a function ofautomatically switching between two reception operation modes, namely, afacsimile reception mode and a telephone reception mode. In thefacsimile reception mode, the facsimile apparatus 1 accepts an incomingcall after detecting the relevant calling signal received by theapparatus 1. Then, the apparatus 1 receives the relevant facsimile dataif it exists relevant to the accepted incoming call. In the telephonereception mode, the facsimile apparatus 1 does not accept the incomingcall even if the arrival of relevant calling signal is detected beforethe operator responds to the rings. The CPU 2 automatically switchesbetween the two reception operation modes depending on the results ofthe above comparison of the illumination intensity data with thepredetermined value. The RAM 4 stores the current reception operationmode of the two reception operation modes. The operation port 9 displaysthe current reception operation mode.

The facsimile apparatus in the first embodiment of the present inventionis described.

The illumination intensity sensor 10 acts as light level detecting meansmeasures the illumination intensity relevant to the received light. TheCPU 2 acts as operation mode setting means and sets the proper one ofthe above facsimile reception mode and telephone reception mode. If theCPU 2 determines the illumination intensity value detected by theillumination intensity sensor 10 is to be equal to or less than theabove predetermined value, it sets the facsimile reception mode and ifnot, it sets the telephone reception mode.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 in the first embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The term `step` is omitted sothat, a step S11 is referred to as simply S11, hereinafter.

Two threshold values T1 and T2 are previously determined, the value T1being used to determine the transition from the state where the no lightis on to the state where a light is on and the value T2 being used todetermined the transition from the state where a light is on to thestate where the light is off. These two threshold values T1 and T2 maybe identical. However, in this embodiment, the value T1 is greater thanthe value T2, the greater value corresponding to the state where thelight level is higher.

In S11, the current illumination intensity is detected by the sensor 10and the thus detected illumination intensity is converted to theillumination intensity data A by the A/D 8 as mentioned above.

In S12, the CPU 2 examines as to whether the current reception operationmode is the facsimile reception mode or the telephone reception mode. Ifit is determined to be the facsimile reception mode in S12, the CPU 2compares in S13 the relevant illumination intensity data A with theabove threshold value T1. If the illumination intensity data A isdetermined to be greater than the value T1 in S13, the CPU 2 switchesthe current reception operation mode from the facsimile mode to thetelephone mode in S14. Then, the CPU 2 stores information indicating thetelephone reception mode as the reception operation mode in the RAM 4and displays the same on the operation port 9. On the other hand, if therelevant illumination intensity data A is determined to be equal to orless than the value T1 in S13, the CPU 2 does not change the currentreception operation mode.

If the current reception operation mode is determined to be thetelephone reception mode in S12, the CPU 2 compares the illuminationintensity data A with the value T2 in S15. If the illumination intensitydata A is equal to or less than the value T2 in S15, the CPU 2 switchesthe current reception operation mode from the telephone reception modeto the facsimile reception mode in S16. Then, the CPU 2 storesinformation indicating the facsimile reception mode as the receptionoperation mode in the RAM 4 and displays the same on the operation port9. On the other hand, if the relevant illumination intensity data A isdetermined to be greater than the value T2 in S15, the CPU 2 does notchange the current reception operation mode.

The facsimile apparatus in the second embodiment of the presentinvention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The NCU 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes OH relay 13, calling signaldetecting circuit 14 and DI switch 15.

The illumination intensity sensor 10 acts similarly to that in thefacsimile apparatus in the above described first embodiment. The callingsignal detecting circuit 14 acts as ring counting means together withthe CPU 2. The calling signal detecting circuit 14 counts the rings. Theoperation port 9 acts as a ring counting number setting means togetherwith the CPU 2 and is used to previously set a predetermined ringingcounting number therethrough. The predetermined ringing counting numberis a reference number such that the facsimile apparatus 1 accepts anincoming call and starts reception of the relevant facsimile data afterthe reference number of rings have occurred in the apparatus 1 relevantto the incoming call. The arbitrarily predetermined ring countingnumbers could be input to the facsimile apparatus 1 by the operatorthrough the operation port 9. In this embodiment, the predetermined ringcounting numbers are 1 and 10. The CPU 2 selects the proper one fromamong the predetermined ring counting numbers previously set through theoperation port 9. The CPU 2 compares the illumination intensity datadetected through the sensor 10 and converted through the A/D 8 asmentioned above with a threshold level which will be mentioned. The CPU2 selects the proper predetermined ring counting number so that thepredetermined ring counting number is higher in a case where thedetected illumination intensity value and is lower in a case where thedetected illumination intensity data is equal to or less than thethreshold value.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus in the second embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

In this embodiment, a single threshold value Th is previouslydetermined, the value Th being used to determine the transition from thestate where the no light is on to the state where a light is on and thesame value Th being also used to determined the transition from thestate where the light is on to the state where the put on light is off.It is also possible to use two different threshold values such as thoseT1 and T2 used in the above first embodiment instead of the single valueTh, the greater value corresponding to the state where the light levelis higher.

The illumination intensity data A is obtained as described above for thecurrent light level in the office room in which the apparatus 1 islocated, in S21.

If the illumination intensity data A is determined in S21 to be greaterthan the value Th, the above predetermined ring counting number 1 isselected in S22. Then, after 10 seconds, a previously set duration, haveelapsed in S25, the illumination intensity is again obtained in S21. If,on the other hand, the illumination intensity data A is equal to or lessthan the value Th in S21, the above predetermined ring counting number10 is selected in S22. Then, after 10 seconds, have elapsed in S25, theillumination intensity is again detected in S21.

In this second embodiment, the CPU 2 automatically reduces thepredetermined ring counting number in a case where it is determined thatno operator is present since it is determined that the lights for theoffice room are off. Thus, the time required for accepting an incomingcall after the arrival of the relevant calling signal, may be reduced byreducing the number of rings occurring before the facsimile-datareception action is started. Further, since the relevant switchingoperation is automatically performed, the operator can be free from therelevant switching operation.

The facsimile apparatus in the third embodiment is described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The NCU 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes OH relay 13, calling signaldetecting circuit 14 and DI switch 15.

The illumination intensity sensor 10 acts as that of any of the firstand second embodiments. The OH relay 13 acts as telephone-handsetconnecting/disconnecting means and disconnects a telephone set shown inFIG. 2 from the telephone line if the illumination intensity detected bythe sensor 10 is equal to or less than a threshold value which will bedescribed. The OH relay 13 connects the telephone set to the telephoneline if the illumination intensity detected by the sensor 10 is greaterthan the threshold value. Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 accepts anincoming call without generating any rings while the telephone set is inthe state where it is not connected to the telephone line due to thedisconnection. While the telephone set is in the state where it isconnected to the telephone line, the facsimile apparatus 1 accepts theincoming call after the operator responds to rings generated relevant tothe incoming call,

The operation of the third embodiment is described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

In this embodiment, a single threshold value Th is previouslydetermined, the value Th being used to determine the transition from thestate where no light is on to the state where a light is on and the samevalue Th being also used to determined the transition from the statewhere a light is on to the state where the light is off. It is alsopossible to use two different threshold values such as T1 and T2 used inthe above first embodiment instead of the single value Th, the greatervalue corresponding to the state where the light level is higher.

The illumination intensity data A is obtained as described above for thecurrent light level in the office room in which the apparatus 1 islocated, in S31.

If the illumination intensity data A is determined in S31 to be equal toor less than the value Th, the OH relay 13 operates so that thetelephone set is disconnected from the telephone line in S33. As aresult, the telephone set does not generate any rings if an incomingcall is accepted by the facsimile apparatus 1. Then, after 10 seconds, apreviously set duration, have elapsed in S35, the illumination intensityis again obtained in S31.

On the other hand, if the illumination intensity data A is greater thanthe value Th in S31, the OH relay 13 operates so that the telephone setis connected to the telephone line in S34. As a result, the telephoneset generates rings if an incoming call is accepted by the facsimileapparatus 1 so that operator can find the call incoming. Then, after 10seconds have elapsed in S35, the illumination intensity is againdetected in S31.

The result of comparing the illumination intensity data value A with thethreshold value Th can be seen to indicate whether or not the currenttime is in the after-hour time zone. Thus, if it is presumed to beafter-hours, the facsimile apparatus 1 in the third embodimentautomatically cuts the connection between the telephone set and thetelephone line. As a result, noise due to the rings can be preventedfrom occurring.

The facsimile apparatus 1 in the fourth embodiment is described.

In the fourth embodiment, the illumination intensity sensor 10 acts asdescribed above for the previously described embodiments. The plotter 6acts as printing means for printing an image on a recording sheet usingfacsimile data received by the facsimile apparatus 1. The plotter 6 usesa well-known electrophotography technology to form a toner image on arecording sheet and typically has the following construction: A drumthat is to be electrostatically charged is used in the plotter (printer)and the toner is held by the charge so as to form the toner image on thedrum surface accordingly. The toner image is then transferred to therecording sheet. The toner image on the recording sheet is fixed by afixing unit in the plotter using heat. The heater 7 acts as heat energyproviding means for providing, to the fixing unit, the heat amountnecessary to fix the toner image formed on a recording sheet. In a casewhere the illumination intensity data value detected through theillumination intensity sensor 10 is greater than a threshold value whichwill be described, the CPU 2 controls the heater 7 so that the heateralways supplies heat to the plotter 6 at the proper rate required forprinting an image whether or not the plotter 6 is currently to print theimage as received facsimile data output. If the illumination value isnot greater, the CPU 2 controls the heater 7 to stop provision of heatto the plotter 6.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 in the fourth embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6.

In this embodiment, a single threshold value Th is previouslydetermined, the value Th being used to determine the transition from thestate where the no light is on to the state where a light is on and thesame value Th being also used to determined the transition from thestate where the light is on to the state where the light is off. It isalso possible to use two different threshold values such as T1 and T2used in the above first embodiment instead of the single value Th, thegreater value corresponding to the state where the light level ishigher.

The illumination intensity data A is obtained as described above for thecurrent light level in the office room in which the apparatus 1 islocated, in S41.

If the illumination intensity data A is determined in S41 to be greaterthan the value Th, the CPU 2 controls the heater 7 to continuouslysupply heat at the above required rate to the plotter 6 by causingelectric current to flow through the heater 7, in S44. Then, after 10seconds, a previously set duration, have elapsed in S45, theillumination intensity is again obtained in S41. On the other hand, ifthe illumination intensity data A is equal or smaller than the value Thin S41, the CPU 2 controls the heater 6 to cut the provision of heat tothe plotter 6 by cutting electric current flow through the heater 7, inS43. Then, after 10 seconds have elapsed in S45, the illuminationintensity is again detected in S41.

Thus, the heat supply to the plotter 6 by the heater 7 is controlleddepending on the comparison result of the current office illuminationintensity data with the threshold value. Thus, during the time theoperator is presumed to be present due to the greater illuminationintensity, the facsimile apparatus 1 is in the state where heat isprovided to the plotter 6 properly and thus received facsimile data canbe immediately output as the image on the recording sheet. On the otherhand, during the time the operator is presumed not to be present due tothe lower illumination intensity, the facsimile apparatus 1 is in thestate where no heat is provided to the plotter 6 and thus receivedfacsimile data will not be output as the image on the recording sheet.Thus, electric power is saved.

Further, in the case of no heat being provided to the plotter 6, thereceived facsimile data may be temporarily held in a previously providedmemory before the heater 7 starts provision of heat to the plotter 6 atthe work starting time when the illumination intensity is likely toincreased.

The facsimile apparatus 1 in a fifth embodiment is described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The NCU 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes OH relay 13, calling signaldetecting circuit 14 and DI switch 15 as shown in FIG. 2.

The illumination intensity sensor 10 acts as described above for theabove embodiments. The calling signal detecting circuit 14 detectsarrival of a calling signal. The OH relay 13 acts together with the CPU2 as no-ringing call accepting means and causes the apparatus 1 toaccept an incoming call without generating any rings if the relevantringing action is detected by the calling signal detecting circuit 14.If the illumination intensity detected by the illumination intensitysensor 10 is greater than a threshold value which will be described, thefacsimile apparatus 1 causes the telephone set to generate rings due tothe incoming call accepted by means of the no-ringing call acceptingmeans so that the operator notices the incoming call. If not, thefacsimile apparatus 1 receives the facsimile data transmitted relevantto the above accepted incoming call if the facsimile data exists.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 in the fifth embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7.

In this embodiment, a single threshold value Th is previouslydetermined, the value Th being used to determine the transition from thestate where the no light is on to the state where a light is on and thesame value Th being also used to determined the transition from thestate where the light is on to the state where the light is off. It isalso possible to use two different threshold values such as T1 and T2used in the above first embodiment instead of the single value Th, thegreater value corresponding to the state where the light level ishigher.

In S101, the OH relay 13 is made to be in the state where the telephoneset is not connected to the telephone line before a calling signal isdetected by the calling signal detecting circuit 14.

If arrival of a calling signal is detected in S101, the relevant call isaccepted and the OH relay 13 is operated so that the telephone set isconnected to the telephone line in S102. Then, the illuminationintensity data A is obtained through the illumination intensity sensor10 in S103 as described above. Then, if the illumination intensity dataA is equal to or less than the threshold value Th, the facsimileapparatus 1 starts reception of the facsimile data in S111 if thefacsimile data is being transmitted relevant to the above acceptedincoming call.

In S104, if the illumination intensity data A is greater than thethreshold value Th, the telephone set is made to generate rings in S105and a timer having a preset time of 20 seconds is started to measure thetime 20 seconds in S106. If the operator is detected to respond to therings during the 20 seconds measured by the timer in S107, the telephoneconversation is started relevant to the incoming call in S108.

On the other hand, if no operator is detected to respond to the rings inS108, it is determined in S109 whether or not arrival of a facsimilesignal is detected. If the arrival is detected in S109, the facsimileapparatus 1 starts reception of the facsimile data relevant to theincoming call in S111.

If the operator does not respond to the rings and no arrival of afacsimile signal is detected in this operation cycle, it is determinedin S110 whether or not the 20 seconds elapsed as measured by the timer.If not in S110, the detection of the operator's response and facsimilesignal is repeated as described above. The operator's response may bedetected by detecting the operator's lifting of the telephone handsetfor example.

If the 20 seconds elapsed in the timer in S110, it is presumed that therelevant incoming call relates to facsimile data transmission and thefacsimile apparatus 1 attempts to start reception of the facsimile datawhich should arrive at.

Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 1 accepts anyincoming call without generating rings. After that, the apparatus 1determines whether rings are to be generated or reception of therelevant facsimile data if it exists is to be started. The determinationis made depending on the current office illumination intensity. Thus,the illumination intensity sensor 10 must work only at a time a callingsignal arrives. Thus, the control operation efficiency is improved.Further by properly adjusting the time to be measured by the timer, thetime for which ringing occurs may be controlled and thus noiseoccurrence due to unnecessarily repeated ringing may be prevented.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above describedembodiments, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:a) facsimilemeans for receiving transmitted facsimile data in automatic response toa calling signal; b) telephone means for receiving telephone calls sothat an operator may conduct a telephone conversation through saidfacsimile apparatus, said telephone means accepting said telephone callsonly after the operator responds to rings generated in response to acalling signal; c) presuming means for presuming whether or not anoperator is present based on information indicating surroundingconditions of said facsimile apparatus, wherein said surroundingconditions of said facsimile apparatus include a level of light on saidfacsimile apparatus; and d) selecting means, said selecting meansincluding:1) means for allowing said facsimile means to receivetransmitted facsimile data and for preventing said telephone means fromreceiving telephone calls when said presuming means presumes that thereis no greater present; and 2) means for preventing said facsimile meansfrom receiving transmitted facsimile data and for allowing saidtelephone means to receive telephone calls when said presuming meanspresumes that there is an operator present.
 2. A facsimile apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein:the apparatus further comprises lightlevel detecting means for detecting a light level on said facsimileapparatus; and said presuming means includes:1) means for presuming thatan operator is present when a light level detected by said light leveldetecting means has a value greater that a predetermined thresholdvalue, and 2) means for presuming that there is no operator present whena light level detected by said light level detecting means has a valueless than said predetermined threshold value.